Caleb

by Cindy Stark

  She’d have to keep her thoughts about him to herself though. She would want everyone to forget him, forget what she’d done. If at any point she told anyone of her ploy and Franklin found out, he could steal her heart, soul and home.

  Elle. She could always talk to Elle.

  “I think I’m ready.” She offered him a happy smile. Despite everything else, she’d adopt the same attitude she had during their reception. No reason the rest of their evening had to be miserable, either. She did like Caleb, and he seemed to enjoy her company as well.

  “Great. Let’s go.” He strode forward and took her bag from her, then held open the door as they exited.

  This would be okay. They could have a pleasant evening and retire early because God knew she was beat after working all day, followed by the surprise wedding and all the stress that came with it.

  ****

  The room was simply stunning. Rich woods of varying colors gave warmth to the large honeymoon suite. Upon entry, two luxurious leather chairs sitting in front of a stone fireplace caught her attention. Wood and kindling waited to be lit. A lush decorative rug sat between the chairs and fireplace, inviting her and Caleb to be comfortable.

  Beyond that, a massive bed covered by a deep purple velvet quilt and many pillows in purple and gold beckoned them.

  “I had no idea the rooms were this nice,” Rachel said as she entered, feeling as nervous as a new bride might. She moved through the open space as Caleb followed behind and set their bags on the floor.

  The room curved into a cozy nook that housed a decadent marble tub large enough for two or more. Subdued up lighting along with burnished tan rock walls murmured luxury.

  “Sweet,” said Caleb, coming up behind her. “I’m not passing up the opportunity to try that out.”

  Everything in the room screamed sensuous seduction. She swallowed and turned, but found him blocking the way. He trapped her with his dark and unreadable gaze.

  “We’re here for the night,” she said, trying to keep the mood light. “Might as well enjoy it.”

  He nodded, slowly and thoughtfully, and she realized her words might have sounded like a suggestion. She wasn’t about to try to retract them and make things more awkward.

  “I think I’d like to relax in front of the fire for a while.” She smiled up at him. “It’s been a very long day.”

  “That it has.”

  They moved to the outer area, and he lit the fire for her.

  Instead of claiming the other chair in the room, he remained standing, facing her with his back to the fire. “What was your favorite part of tonight?” He loosened and then removed his black tie.

  “Oh…I don’t know.” She followed his hands as they opened a few buttons on his shirt. “I guess having the confirmation of so many supportive friends. It was amazing having them all there.”

  “There are really great people in Moose Meadows. Everyone is so friendly and likable.”

  “Even Lenny?” she teased.

  “Even Lenny.” He peeled off his black jacket and draped it over the back of his chair. “I hope you don’t mind if I get comfortable.”

  “Of course not.” She toed off her shoes and curled into the chair.

  Caleb had barely taken his seat when a knock sounded on the door. “Figures.” He chuckled and stood.

  “Special delivery for the happy couple.” A young kid about sixteen handed a large cellophane-wrapped basket and a bottle of wine set in a bucket to Caleb.

  “Thank you. Hang on a second.” He set the items on a table between the two chairs, fished out his wallet and tipped the guy.

  Rachel tugged the curling ribbon from the top and let the cellophane fall away.

  “Look at that,” Caleb said after shutting the door.

  She opened the card tucked inside. “More gifts. This one is from my uncle’s friends.” Emotion tightened into a knot inside her. “They’re very happy that I’ve married, and that I will keep the ranch.”

  She turned her gaze upward to him where he stood next to her chair. “Guilt is really eating at me. They’ve done so much, and it’s all a lie. That knowledge is sitting like a lump in my heart.”

  Caleb knelt next to her and took her hand. “Me, too. When Jessy said you wanted a wedding at home, I had no idea they’d go to all this trouble. But remember, it’s all for a good cause. Can you really doubt that if they were in on the secret, they wouldn’t have done the same things?”

  She thought on that for a few moments. “No, they would have. They’d do whatever it took to keep Franklin off the ranch and out of town. He’s burned a lot of bridges here.”

  “Okay, then. Consider it a town party. Everyone had a great time tonight.”

  That reminder brought a smile to her face. “They really did.”

  “The only bad part is the gifts, and you can return them after I leave.”

  A sharp reminder of reality twisted into her heart. Returning the gifts would give her something to focus on when her house was once again empty. “I will.” She really couldn’t think about any of that right now.

  He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, holding her gaze the entire time. Longing tightened around her like a noose. Then he stood. “I say we open that bottle of champagne and see what kind of goodies are in the basket.”

  The sound of the cork popping echoed off the rock walls. Rachel stood next to him and held two glasses while he filled them.

  Then he took his glass and lifted it in the air. “To the lovely folks in Moose Meadows.”

  “To all my friends.”

  “Our friends.”

  His claim tugged at her emotions. He was now claiming her friends?

  Instead of reacting, she tapped her glass against his and then sipped. “I’m not much for champagne, but this is pretty good.”

  “It is,” he said, setting his glass on the table. “Looks like there are some nice cheeses. Grapes. Oh, strawberries.” He met her gaze. “I love strawberries.”

  He shifted items in the basket to reach others. “Crackers. Chocolate.” His intense eyes collided with hers. “You love chocolate.”

  She softly snorted and smiled. “Yes, I do.”

  He lifted the bag of Swiss chocolates from the basket and opened one. When she tried to take it from him, he shook his head. “Uh-uh. Open up.”

  She narrowed her gaze at his teasing and opened her mouth. He held the chocolate to her lips, and she took a bite. Smooth, sweet creaminess melted on her tongue. “Oh…that’s good.”

  He put the rest of it in his mouth and then nodded. “Damn…” His tongue darted out and licked his lips, and she couldn’t look away. She’d tasted that delicious mouth before, and she wanted to again before he disappeared from her life. Consequences be damned.

  With a breath to bolster her bravery, she opened the container of lush, red berries. “Let’s try these.” She held a strawberry out for him.

  He held her gaze for an intense moment before he bit into it. His lips brushed her fingers as she pulled away, making her shiver.

  She finished the rest of the berry and closed her eyes for a second to savor the flavor. “Is it just me, or is that the best strawberry ever?”

  “I bet they’d taste amazing together.” Caleb opened another chocolate while she removed the biggest berry in the box.

  “A bite for you.” He held the chocolate for her. “One for me.”

  She held up a berry for him and then took a bite for herself. “Oh, wow. That’s amazing.”

  “You’re amazing.”

  She paused for a long second and then swallowed. “You think?” Her heart thudded like a herd of elephants in her chest.

  He searched her eyes, his full of serious intention. “I do.”

  She softly laughed, trying to diffuse the situation, but it didn’t tamp down any of the heat building inside her.

  “How about a grape?” He plucked a purple-red grape from the bunch and held it out.

  She opened her mouth. Instead
of putting it in, Caleb drew the smooth textured fruit across her bottom lip several times. Exquisite shivers erupted over each inch of her skin.

  “Nah. That one’s for me.” He slid the grape in his mouth instead.

  The act was far from innocent and sent incredible heat rushing through her. This was happening.

  His eyes turned dark like a forest at twilight, and all she could do was wait.

  “Sorry,” he finally said and picked up his champagne glass breaking the spell. She lifted her glass and drank, too.

  She should say something or do something, but she couldn’t. Fear of loving him and losing him held her in place.

  He drained his glass and refilled both of theirs. “Do you like cheese?” He busied himself inspecting packages for a few long seconds. Then he set them down. “Say something will you? Tell me what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours.”

  “I want you.”

  His expression didn’t change for several long seconds.

  She set down her glass. “Is that a bad thing?” Quick currents of tension shot back and forth between them.

  “Yes and no.” He placed his glass next to hers. “Normally, I don’t get involved with clients.”

  She searched his face, and the look she found didn’t match his words at all. She glanced to the thick pulse throbbing in his neck, to the exposed skin in the vee of his shirt. “Okay,” she whispered.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s anything but that. I know I’ve been flirting with and teasing you all night, which was so wrong of me.” He lifted a hand and gently drew it down her face. “I’d never want to hurt you, Rachel.”

  “But if I agree…”

  He closed his eyes for a long second before he looked at her again. “You deserve better.”

  She bit her tongue and cursed the future. “I’m not asking for anything other than tonight, Caleb. Why would it be so wrong to enjoy what we have right here, right now?”

  He closed his eyes for a long second. “Because it doesn’t only affect this moment. What about tomorrow? What about when I leave?”

  Perhaps she’d totally mistaken his actions all evening as something real when really all he’d done was his job and tossed around some teasing banter. She nodded as rejection stung her like an angry bee. “You’re right. This would be a big mistake for both of us.” She shifted her gaze to the basket and plopped a grape into her mouth before focusing on the fire.

  After a few minutes of unbearable silence, she stood. “I’m going to try to sleep. It’s been a long day.” She dared a glance, and he tipped his head in acknowledgement, an unhappy look on his handsome face.

  Apparently, this wasn’t happening after all.

  With dead dreams falling from her cracks, she picked up her bag and headed into the bathroom. It was too late. He didn’t want to hurt her, but it was already too late.

  She lifted her hands over her shoulder and grasped the zipper tab and the top of her dress. She tugged downward and then cursed when the zipper refused to give. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She tried several more times, alternating hands to no avail.

  “Shit.” Was this the universe punishing her for her lies? She supposed she could sleep in her dress, but it would be a long miserable night. Maybe that’s what she deserved.

  ****

  One night with Rachel would never be enough for Caleb. Despite how much he wanted her, he couldn’t do that to her. He knew he’d hurt her, but a little disappointment now was better than a pile of hurt later for both of them.

  His friends would call him an idiot for passing up the opportunity for what he knew would be an incredible night of mind-blowing sex.

  But there was more at stake here.

  Already, he’d had a hell of a time keeping his heart out of the mess. Day after day of watching her lovely smile and listening to her funny stories tied his heart into a thicker knot.

  He couldn’t force himself to put his heart through the wringer and not come out whole on the other side. Things had ended ugly with Debra, and though he could out lift and outride most guys, he hadn’t been able to build a strong enough wall around his heart.

  Rachel wanted him. But only for tonight. Or maybe a few more nights, but then his time would be up. She’d pay him, and he’d have to pack his things and leave. Despite their marriage, he had no rights to her or her life. This was only ever meant to be a temporary situation.

  He knew part of his heart would stay with her regardless of what happened between them. But he couldn’t subject himself to another emotional desecration. He didn’t have it in him to rebuild it from scratch again.

  “Sorry.”

  The sound of Rachel’s voice jerked his gaze away from the fire. She stood with a mortified look on her face. “Could you help me? My damn zipper is stuck. I can’t tell if a string or something is caught in the teeth or if it’s just broken.”

  “Of course.” He stood as she approached him. She turned and drew her long hair to the side, over one shoulder and out of the way. A cloud of sensual perfume wafted out in its wake.

  He exhaled and tried to focus on the zipper. He took hold of the tab, jerked it, but it didn’t budge. “There’s nothing on this side that I can see blocking it.”

  As he slid his fingers beneath her dress, his fingers brushed the softest skin he’d ever touched. The devil had tossed an incredible temptation in his path.

  He tipped the back of the zipper so he could look for the problem, but he found himself studying the threads of silver woven through her white dress and the tender skin along the base of her neck. The angles of her shoulders where they emerged from her dress.

  She turned her head toward him, drawing several fat curls along with her. The strands tickled his forearms and hands.

  “Can you see the problem?”

  He focused on the issue. “It looks like the fabric has been pulled beneath the zipper on one side.”

  “Great.” She released a frustrated sigh. “Can you get it to budge?”

  “Let me try again.” He drew his hand along the top of her back, gathering her thick hair and dragging it over her shoulder. How he ached to wrap it around his hand and tug her head back so he could taste her lovely throat.

  Her hand brushed his as she took the bundle of hair from him and held it out of the way.

  He swallowed and gripped the zipper again. Now that he knew the problem, he used a little more force. The zipper cooperated for a few inches before it became stuck again.

  “Now what?” Her impatience echoed his desire. They both wanted each other, couldn’t have each other, which left them in an uneasy state.

  He slid his hand farther down her back and tilted the zipper again. “Still stuck on the fabric.” He tried again to no avail.

  “It’s okay.” She twisted from his grasp. “I’ll call downstairs and see if they have a pair of scissors. It’s not like I’ll ever wear it again.”

  “What? No, don’t ruin it. Not your beautiful dress.”

  Irritation flashed in her eyes, and he knew he was the source of it. “I can’t wear it forever.”

  “Maybe you can slip it over your head. The zipper did come down a little.”

  “Fine. I’ll try.” She huffed as she strode back into the bathroom.

  A few moments later, she came out with fire burning in her eyes. Moisture evaporated from his mouth as his heart thundered in his chest. She’d lifted the bottom of her dress partially up her body, exposing a tiny pair of silky white panties and an amazing pair of legs.

  She’d trapped one arm inside the dress, while the other was at an odd angle with her hand near her ear. The murderous look in her eye along with his rock hard cock kept him from laughing.

  He hurried forward. “Let me help you.”

  “Push it back down,” she commanded. “I’m cutting it off.”

  “No. If you put your arms straight up, I think we can get it. You’re already most of the way there.”

  She pinned a heat
ed gaze full of anger on him but remained mute as she lifted both hands skyward.

  He worked to keep any reaction from his face as he slid his hands up her sides. Her skin was as soft as a new kitten, and he ached to slow and savor each inch of her.

  She closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip.

  He slid the exquisite dress farther up her body, alternately tugging the hem upward and shimmying the rest to roll it up her skin.

  She had her hands straight in the air, the hem of her short dress near her ears. When his fingers crested her breasts, he realized she wore no bra.

  “Fuck,” he cursed as his breath whooshed out of him in surprise. Need threw his pulse into overdrive.

  She speared him with her gaze as though to keep him from looking down. But hell if he could resist. Taut, rosy nipples jutted out from lush breasts begging to be teased and sucked. He cursed again, feeling as if someone jerked his groin, trying to pull it out his throat.

  “Stop.” She took a step back from him, her voice full of anger and vulnerability.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t…” He swallowed the hard lump of desire lodged in his throat and stepped forward. “I won’t look.”

  She averted her gaze as tears puddled in the corners of her eyes. “You should have let me cut it off. It would be better than this humiliation.”

  “No,” he whispered. Not this beautiful dress. He tugged the fabric over one shoulder and then the other. Suddenly she was free.

  She grasped the garment and covered herself as she backed away. Then she turned and hurried toward the bathroom.

  He wasn’t sure what made him go after her, but he couldn’t let her leave. Not now. Not like this.

  He caught up to her within a few strides and grabbed her elbow. “Rachel.”

  She swung around, anguish twisting her features.

  “I’m so sorry.” He’d done this to her. “I just didn’t want you to ruin it. You looked so beautiful tonight and…”

  Wet eyelashes grazed her cheeks as she blinked and tried to step away from him.